MC Digital Edition 1.26.22

Michigan Chronicle Vol. 85 – No. 21 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022

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Standard and Poor’s Rates Wayne County’s Credit With Top Marks

ual Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence Awards and Induction ard Awards, Man of the Year Award and O'Neil Swanson Lifetime be bestowed upon these five outstanding pillars of the community. heir accomplishments on Thursday, January 27, 2021, 6 pm at the ernational Marketplace in downtown Detroit.

One of the world’s top-three credit-rating agencies recently raised Wayne County’s rating from BBB+ to an A based upon sound fiscal management and successful operational restructuring under the helm of County Executive Warren C. Evans.

Standard and Poor’s (S&P) recently gave Wayne County the rating, which was announced on Friday, January 21.

nnual Michigan Chronicle Men of Excell guard Awards, Man of the Year Award Should the 13th ill be bestowed upon these five outsta Congressional g their accomplishments onDistrict Thursday, Remain a Black Seat?

International Marketplace in downtown As one of the blackest cities in America —

Y

W

“The rating increase means it will cost Wayne County less to finance long-term infrastructure and investment projects,” Evans said in a statement.

The credit-rating scale ranges from the high-end AAA, “extremely strong capacity to meet financial commitments” to D on the low ranking in which there is a “payment default on a financial commitment or breach of an imputed promise, according to a press release.” This rating is also used when a bankruptcy petition has been filed.

“Credit ratings are forward-looking opinions about the ability and willingness of debt GERALD JOHNSON BISHOP J. DREW SHEARD issuers, like corporations or governments, to meet their financial obligations timePresident and in ExecutiveonVice Chief Prelate and Chief Apostle full,” according to Standard and Global and Sustainability Church of God in Christ Poor’sManufacturing website. “They provide a common and transparent global General Motors language for investors and other market participants, corporations and governments, and are one of many inputs they can consider as

By Donald James part of their decision-making proSpecial to the Chronicle cesses.”

Detroit deserves black representation

The “A” grade rating indicates the stability of Wayne County’s ability to meet its long-term debt obligations, making the county more attractive to institutional bond investors. The rating increase is also noteworthy because it occurred two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.

These improved ratings are one that Wayne County notes as being the highest since 2010.

In announcing its increased rating, S&P stated: “The twonotch upgrade reflects our view of the county’s continued maintenance of structurally balanced operations; seven years of positive financial results; strong management; and ongoing, albeit slow, economic recovery. Just six months ago, Moody’s also upgraded Wayne County’s rating to ‘A3’.

Evans said that Wayne County’s financial position has improved materially since the execution of the county’s consent agreement and recovery plan in 2016.

“Through this process, the county was able to substantially reduce health care costs and long-term liabilities and it has since continued to maintain structural balance, increase reserves, and improve its pension

See CREDIT

RATING page A2

T

he political landscape in Michigan has undergone a profound and adverse facelift. The state is losing a U.S. House seat because the last Census count shows the loss of population. And Detroit, America’s Blackest major city, no longer has a majority Black congressional district based on the controversial redrawn congressional and state legislative maps approved by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission on December 28, 2021.

As the 2022 midterm and general elections draw closer, the 13th Congressional District, with its 45% Black population (a majority-minority), will be watched closely to see just how much “Black voters matter.” The reconfigured 13th includes much of Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, the Grosse Pointes, and other cities in Wayne County.

African American candidates rumored to run for Congress in the 13th, all democrats, include Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs (dermatologist and former University of Michigan Board of Regents member), Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (Detroit School Board member and former state representative), Ralph Godbee Jr. (former Detroit Police Chief), Michael Griffie (attorney and educator), Adam Hollier (state senator), Sonya Mays (Detroit developer and School Board member), and Portia Roberson (Focus: Hope’s CEO).

State Rep. Shri Thanedar, an Indian-American, has announced he is running. The Democrat says he will fund his campaign with millions of his own money. More candidates are expected to join the race ahead of the April 19, 2022 filing deadline.

Many Black political observers and stakeholders in Southeast Michigan believe it’s critical that an African American wins the 13thDAVE Congressional BINGDistrict race. Yet, with the high number of African American candidates expected to run in the primary, speculation the Black vote will be split Formerthe Mayor, City isofthat Detroit unless a consensus candidate is selected.

Founder, Bing Youth Institute

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans told the Michigan

Chronicle that he has convened a broad group of stakeholders interested in establishing a fair and transparent process for identifying and backing a consensus Black candidate to run for the 13th Congressional seat.

“In theory, everyone says it’s a great idea, but the politics of pulling it together is difficult because in some instances, people have already chosen their candidates,” Evans said.

“But I have an effort afoot to try and create a broad consortium of folks to see if we can carve out a process to pick a consensus candidate because there’s no denying that when you have this type of vote splitting with the tremendous number of prominent African Americans in the race, you certainly give the other opponents who are not of color the chance to be successful.”

Evans said that he has convened two meetings. However, he emphasized that others in the community are welcome to join the consortium and offer insight to crafting a viable process for choosing a consensus African American candidate for the 13th Congressional race.

“It’s a lot to be ironed out,” Evans said. “But if we aren’t successful, it will go back to the old way of throwing cold water on each other and everybody picking an individual in the race and see what happens. I just don’t know that anybody should want to take that risk because we are desperately facing the loss of political power and a seat in congress.”

“Wayne County Executive Evans is the right person to facilitate such a movement because of the stature of his office,” said Chris Jackson, who heads a Detroit-based political consultant group and runs a development firm in the city. “He is someone who is well respected.”

Bishop Edgar Vann, Senior Pastor of Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit’s 13th Congressional District, agrees.

“Wayne County Executive Warren Evans is certainly someone who has stood tall with integrity and has done a great job in Wayne County,” Vann said. “If this is something that he wants to do, I would hope that it’s something that people could adhere to. We need a consensus candidate, but we live in a time when people don’t listen to other folks when they

See CONGRESSIONAL

DISTRICTS page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE

Retired City Council President N T Brenda Jones is Ready for Life! ouse ketplace H | 400 Monroe, 8th Floor | Detroit, MI 48226

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She is “ready to have a life” after serving 16 years on Detroit’s legislative body beginning in January 2006. Council President Brenda Jones is ending a four-term career on a council that has seen its highs and lows.

In an interview with the Michigan Chronicle, Jones said she never imagined she would have such an extensive stay and she credits her deep care for citizens, integrity and Detroiters understanding her firm and sometimes unpopular decisions as to the staying power she has held.

“Each day you work, it’s like an election,” said Jones. “Each election, you don’t know whether or not if you’ll be re-elected,

so each day you’re out fighting for your life.”

Jones says she can recall the days when people would make remarks on grabbing popcorn to gather around the television set to watch city council sessions. Before having an interest in running for an elected seat, she didn’t understand the comments at the time but it became clear when she watched the council sessions herself. The only reaction she could give was to shake her head in disbelief of the sometimes lack of professionalism from elected city officials.

But Jones would eventually do more than shake her head in disappointment

See BRENDA

JONES page A2

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Brenda Jones From page A-1 and of embarrassment in how officials represented council. She recalls what her late mother often remarked, “you can be a part of the problem or part of the solution.”

Instead of sitting back and talking about what others were doing wrong, she decided to take the lesson her mother taught and apply that to her journey to run for city council and be a part of the solution.

She credits late Council President Marianne Mahaffey for being influential and welcoming when she ran for the office, even inviting her to her office. “If you’re running and have questions, always feel free to call me to get the answers.”

Jones also recalls having a close working relationship with the late councilman Kwame Kenyatta, adored the late councilmember Barbara Rose-Collins, and heavily relied on information from her next-door office colleague, Sheila Cockrel.

“Anytime I had questions, I would go and ask Sheila ‘could you give me the history of this?’ One of the things that I was taught by my mom [was] ‘in order to know where you’re going, you have to know where you’re coming from.’” She describes Sheila as always being willing to giver her the history on issues

of city government matters despite Cockrel and Jones oftentimes voting differently on policy.

The tables have turned for Council President Jones as she now holds the veteran role and has always held conversations with newly elected members of council and shared with them her institutional knowledge of the legislative body and answering their questions on issues.

“As you are about to take a vote, you need to know facts and you need to know the history. I’ve always told my colleagues I will tell you the history but I will not tell you how to vote.” A lesson she also gave some new incoming members.

During Jones’ career her office has sponsored over 20 ordinances, such as the Community Outreach ordinance which requires meetings in the community to inform and engage residents on projects in the pipeline that impacts the area in which they live. Jones also introduced the Supply Schedule ordinance and Invest in Detroit Procurement amendments to open opportunities for Detroit-owned businesses.

One of the many things she worked on was the implementation of the Dangerous Dogs legislation, named after Xavier Strickland and Emma Hernan-

dez who were attacked by loose dogs which escaped their owners’ property.

“I was definitely impacted when we lost two children who were viciously mauled by animals,” Jones shared.

“Those maulings definitely shocked our community.” The ordinance now puts tougher rules in places for animal owners in the interest of public safety.

Jones retires at a time when city hall faces a cloud of corruption. In recent months, the FBI has conducted search warrants of some councilmembers’ homes, investigations and court admissions that have led to resignations and even jail time for councilmembers in past times.

“One of the things I like to do during orientation is to bring in FBI agents to talk to councilmembers on the dos and don’ts. I’ve brought in Rev. Nicholas Hood Sr. to talk about the investigations that took place during his tenure on city council.”

The idea behind this specialized session was to give councilmembers information and tools to help steer them away from a road previous officials had traveled which cost them jobs and landed them in the criminal justice system.

Jones briefly served a five-week stint in Congress, representing the 13th congressional district, which was once

Congressional District From page A-1 feel it’s their time.”

Vann added that Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield), who won’t seek re-election in 2022, could be valuable in selecting a consensus candidate.

“Congresswoman Lawrence is not leaving office with scandal; she’s coming out with a distinguished record,” said Vann. “As far as selecting a consensus candidate, maybe Brenda Lawrence can help make that happen.”

In the 12th Congressional District, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who was first elected to represent the 13th in 2018, has announced she will run for re-election in the new 12th. The district includes a part of Detroit, Dearborn, Southfield, and other cities in Wayne and Oakland counties.

Several African American women have also been rumored to run in the 12th, including former Michigan House of Representatives member Shanelle Jackson, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, and Lathrop Village Mayor Kelly Garrett - all democrats.

“We have not relinquished the 12th district just because somebody moved there and announced they are going to be a candidate there,” said Rev. Wendell Anthony, senior pastor, Fellowship Chapel in Detroit and president, Detroit Branch, NAACP. “Both the 12th and 13th Districts are very important to African Americans in Detroit and the suburbs.

We need the presence of an African American in Congress.”

Evans also believes that the 12th Congressional district is important for African Americans living in Detroit and other Wayne and Oakland county cities.

“If I’m being asked if the same general principles should apply in the 12th Congressional District like we are trying to do in the 13th, my answer is “yes.” However that’s not on our drawing board right now.”

If Thanedar wins the 13th Congressional seat and Tlaib is victorious in the 12th, there will be no African Americans in

Congress representing Detroit and other cities in Wayne and Oakland counties with significant Black populations when the 118th U.S. Congress begins in January 2023.

“Black people without representation contrast what Dr. King and other civil rights advocates fought for in getting the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed and signed,” said Arthur B. Blackwell, political strategist and former chairman, Wayne County Board of Commissioners.

“When you have almost one million Black people in Michigan, it’s critical that there’s Black representation in Congress.”

Congresswoman Lawrence, elected in November 2014 to serve Michigan’s 14th District, is the state’s lone Black member of Congress. As a result of redistricting, many expected her to run for re-election in the newly redrawn 12th Congressional District. Lawrence announced several weeks ago that she is not running for re-election.

“Congresswoman Lawrence had indicated to me a month before her announcement, or maybe earlier that she was running and the rumors of her not being a candidate were not true,” said Anthony.

“Certainly, she has the right to determine her own destiny. I would have preferred, like many others, that some type of notification be given to some in the community so that greater planning might have been made in terms of a succession plan. I’m being honest, giving a heads up would not have left us in this situation of scrambling to find and support somebody to fill the gap.”

A lawsuit has been filed against the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission for approving the revamped congressional maps for 10 years. Filed by former and current lawmakers, the lawsuit alleges that the commission’s approval illegally disenfranchises Black voters and violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which bans discriminatory voting practices and procedures.

The Detroit NAACP is about to weigh in.

“Our lawyers are currently reviewing, evaluat-

ing, and making a determination as to what the Detroit NAACP will do,” said Anthony. “We will take some action, maybe filing an amicus brief with regards to the current lawsuit being taken, or we may file our own lawsuit.

Within the next ten days, we will come out with the action that we will take.”

served by the late John Conyers Jr. “I was proud to serve. It was an honor.”

Following Jones’ retirement from City Council she plans to make a return to Washington, D.C. as a private citizen.

“I want to take the opportunity to return to D.C. and speak on the floor [of Congress] on some of the thigs that impact Detroit.”

Jones says she was crowned with the title, “Citizens Voice” by the community she felt understood that she cared for them. It’s paramount to how she wants to be remembered as she departs Detroit City Council after 16 years of service. “One of things I tried to do in bringing civility back to city council was showing respect to the constituents. I wanted to let the people of Detroit know they are important and that their voice counts. I wanted to do the most I could do help the people.”

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Credit Rating From page A-1 and other post-employment funding position, while also addressing its criminal justice facility needs. Wayne County’s strong management team put the county on a stable and sustainable financial footing, and over the past seven years financial performance has improved materially.”

The Detroit News reported that Evans (elected in November 2014) remarked that Wayne County (Michigan’s largest county) seemed to be headed down a financially abysmal path -- bankruptcy.

“When I first came to office, the common wisdom was that we could not possibly avoid going into bankruptcy,” Executive Evans said. “As it turns out, the common wisdom was wrong. We made the hard choices that needed to be made to right the ship, and now we are seeing the fruits of those decisions.

Wayne County is a good investment because of those decisions we made.”

Evans’ team noted that Wayne County has significantly slashed health care costs and long-term liabilities, boosted its reserves, and is also building a new criminal justice complex.

Former county executive Robert Fica-

no’s administration attempted to build a jail in 2011, but could not finish it, which stopped construction in 2013 and the partially completed building sat for years, The Detroit News reported. In January 2015, when Executive Evans came to office, Wayne County faced a $132 million accumulated and structural general fund deficit, an overall pension liability of $1.5 billion, and the state of Michigan was threatening to declare a financial emergency.

In just 14 months, the Evans administration eliminated the $132 million general fund deficit, balanced the budget, shored up retiree pensions while saving $348 million, and successfully exited a consent agreement with the state of Michigan. Under Executive Evans, Wayne County has benefited from seven-consecutive balanced budgets with no general tax increase.

The Detroit News also reported that in 2018, through Evans’ leadership, the criminal justice complex, two of Detroit’s downtown jails, and Wayne County Circuit Court were sold to Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock company, which also formed a partnership with Wayne County to build the new justice center off Interstate 75.

“And to think we have accomplished this during the worst health crisis in more than a generation,” Evans said.

A3

| Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022

Roots.

DTE Energy

Tips for Cold Weather Savings

helps vulnerable customers, as frigid weather sets in, with $5 million donation to Michigan outreach agencies

The cold weather has arrived. Make sure your home is prepared and ready to combat frigid temperatures. Here are some tips to keep your home warm and cozy this winter.

• Make sure that your thermostat settings are set appropriately for the winter. Ideally, having the temperature at 68 degrees while you are awake will help save energy and money.

A programmable thermostat can make this process a lot easier and could result in energy savings of up to $180 over the course of the year.

• A dirty air filter can make your furnace work harder and lead to higher energy costs and even damaged parts. During the winter, you’ll want to check that your air filter is clean at least once a month since it will be working harder during these months.

michiganchronicle.com

United Way of Southeastern Michigan, the Salvation Army, True North and The Heat and Warmth Fund to receive customer assistance funds DTE Energy donated a total of $5 million to help low income residents across the state stay healthy, safe and warm during Michigan’s freezing winter weather.

The company donated $2.25 million to the United Way of Southeastern Michigan; $1 million to the Salvation Army; $1 million to True North; and $750,000 to The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW). These non-profit outreach agencies will help DTE customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills, while also helping them enroll in affordable payment plans, including DTE’s Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP) payment program.

“Many Michigan families are still facing financial hardships and may be challenged to keep their homes warm this winter,” said Jerry Norcia, chief executive officer and president, DTE Energy. “This donation will help Michiganders who are struggling to access the help they need to pay their heating bills and, if they are eligible, enroll in payment programs that will provide more financial assistance.”

DTE has donated more than $50 million since 2016 to help customers stay warm and keep their lights on. These donations to human services agencies enable them to help Michigan residents pay down past-due balances and current energy bills.

“DTE’s longstanding partnership with THAW helps stabilize and empower Michigan families, particularly during

the winter months,” said Saunteel Jenkins, chief executive officer of The Heat and Warmth Fund. “What’s important to recognize about this donation is not only the ability for THAW to help even more families with their urgent energy needs, but to also help them access programs that can prevent these crises in the future.”

DTE has taken additional steps during the pandemic to deliver help directly to customers in need, working closely with the State of Michigan to administer CERA (COVID Emergency Rental Assistance) aid to our customers who rent their homes and MIHAF (Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund) help for homeowners. DTE was also recently recognized by the White House as an example for other energy companies to follow, spotlighting how DTE directly applied enhanced Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) aid to eligible customer accounts.

More than 36,000 residents were enrolled in DTE’s affordable payment plan, LSP, during the 2020-2021 program year, and DTE anticipates potentially greater need this heating season. All four agencies will be conducting open enrollments to LSP for eligible customers seeking energy assistance. Visit dteenergy.com/lsp or call THAW, the Salvation Army, United Way for Southeastern Michigan and True North for additional program information or to enroll in the program.

DTE Energy

emPOWERing the Community

• To help prevent any heat blockage, vacuum and clean all the vents to allow proper heat flow and maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home. Additionally, make sure furniture, toys, or window coverings are not blocking the vents to allow for proper and maximum airflow.

• Ensure your heating and cooling system is operating efficiently and delivering the maximum energy savings by having a contractor do annual pre-season checkups. DTE provides rebates.

• Switch to LED lightbulbs throughout your home. LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy without sacrificing light output and can last up to 25 years longer. Find the right bulbs for your home with our guide.

• Seal air leaks around your home and add insulation as needed to help your home be more comfortable and energy-efficient and save up to $200 on your annual energy bills. Simple fixes include installing weather stripping on doors and caulking around windows.

• If you’re in need of an equipment upgrade, make sure to shop for a high-efficiency model furnace, which operates up to 50% more efficiently than older units. You may even be eligible for rebates available at dteenergy. com/hvac.

• Keep your heating system at peak performance by having an annual tune-up. DTE provides rebates to help offset the cost of furnace tune-ups that include combustion analysis.

• Download the free DTE Insight app to see your energy use. You’ll be able to identify spikes in your home’s use and avoid high-bill surprises.

DTE also offers energy-saving tips, rebates, tools, and programs to help you save this winter and all year long. Learn more at: dteenergy. com/saveenergy.

THAW - 800.866.8429 | The Salvation Army - 855.929.1640 United Way for Southeastern Michigan - 844.211.4994 | True North - 231.355.5880

DTE Energy Foundation awards more than $1 million in ‘Holiday Help’ grants to support families, children and underserved populations

T

he DTE Energy Foundation awarded more than $1 million in grants to 10 Michigan-based organizations focused on enriching people’s lives across the state, just in time for the holidays. Grant recipients include The Children’s Foundation, Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Feeding America West Michigan, Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, Meals on Wheels, Oaks Village (Oaks of Righteousness), Pope Francis Center and United Community Housing Coalition. Organizations will use this support to repair homes, deliver meals and support communities at the grassroots level by directly serving residents’ most basic needs.

“At the DTE Foundation, people are at the core of what we do,” said Lynette Dowler, president, DTE Foundation. “We know the most impactful work focuses on positively impacting the lives of those in need. Michiganders can’t thrive without basic needs being met, like food or shel-

Reliability projects launched across Michigan to prepare for this winter and the future As temperatures begin to drop, DTE’s electric team is focused on making sure the grid can meet the energy needs of the community this winter and into the future.

The company’s Distribution Operations team recently launched reliability projects in more than 50 communities across southeast Michigan.

Winter weather and trees are a dangerous combination for the electric grid. Heavy snow and freezing rain on tree branches can cause them to break, fall on to power lines and ultimately cause power outages.

That’s why DTE recently identified more than 30 communities to prioritize for surge work that will improve service for thousands of residential and business customers. Their experts are making targeted improvements in the identified neighborhoods from installing new poles and crossarms, placing animal guards on equipment to accelerating trimming trees along electrical lines. The communities were selected based on data-driven analysis which identified circuits that have experienced elevated levels of interruptions to electrical service over a period.

Plus, there are about 20 additional multi-

year reliability projects happening in Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, Lapeer and Washtenaw counties. The improvement work includes building new substations, installing new substation equipment, reconfiguring overhead powerlines and moving overhead wires to underground.

In addition, this fall DTE’s distribution system experts, technicians and engineers in power-generating plants performed preventative inspections and maintenance on the electrical distribution system to ensure it is ready for winter.

To learn more about ongoing reliability projects happening in your community visit https://empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-­ improvements/.

ter. Our partners have direct lines to help communities from the ground up. Once basic needs are met, those who are underserved can begin to focus their energy on other parts of their life, like careers and family.”

The DTE Foundation supports equitable programming that serves the unmet needs of diverse, vulnerable residents while engaging the com-

munity. The organizations receiving grants will assist children, families and seniors. For example, the DTE Foundation has supported the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) Holiday Meals on Wheels for more than a decade by serving 5,500 seniors every holiday season.

“Detroit Area Agency on Aging is grateful for the generous donation from the DTE Foundation. We value and appreciate the Foundation’s financial support as well as their dedicated employee volunteers who deliver help to senior apartment buildings and churches. Our partnership provides hope to the most vulnerable seniors,” said Ronald Taylor, DAAA president and CEO.

DTE spreads holiday cheer to hospitalized children DTE aspires not only to be the best in the world, but the best for the world. One way the company accomplishes this is through dedication to the communities where employees live and serve, in communities like Detroit or Ann Arbor.

The holidays still look different this year, and children in hospitals may not be able to see their loved ones and continue holiday traditions.

That is why Public Affairs and Distribution Operations teamed up to spread some holiday spirit!

On Sunday, Dec. 19 in Detroit, DTE trucks partnered with Michigan Towing Operators in a drive by parade at Detroit Medical Center (DMC) Children’s Hospital to bring holiday cheer from a safe distance.

The lit-up truck was driven by Jason Barnett and Carl Simm Jr., DTE line workers, and gas truck was driven

by John Frendo, who joined forces with over 100 other vehicles, playing holiday songs and waving to children throughout the event.

“When all the trucks lined up at the hospital, the children and staff were watching at their windows while Santa Clause hosted the event on a loudspeaker,” said Carl.

“Everyone gets especially excited

when our truck pulls up, because it’s decorated in nearly 30,000 lights. It’s such a gratifying experience. I love seeing all the smiles and joy it brings to everyone.”

The festive trucks put on even more miles the next day on Monday, Dec. 20 when Carl Simm Jr. and Robert Vanderbush joined DTE volunteers to visit C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. The team played music, and waved at the children, families and hospital workers as they waved back with DTE donated flashlights.

“Knowing we could bring smiles to children’s faces this year was incredible,” said Frank D’Angelo, manager of events and community outreach in Public Affairs. “I can’t imagine how difficult it is for those kids to be spending time over the holidays in a hospital which is why we knew we had to get involved.

So many of these programs were closed this year and we still made it happen even with COVID, by masking up, staying outside and using our amazingly decorated truck.”

Page A-4 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

The Parent’s Pandemic: Caregivers Are Still Tired as COVID-19 Lingers

By Sherri Kolade McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, reported that 15 million Americans have quit their jobs since April 2021, and just nearly two years into the pandemic parents and caregivers have faced numerous challenges trying to balance work and children’s needs.

Now, with some schools going virtual for a short term as COVID-19 cases rise, working parents are increasingly responsible for continuing to juggle their own health concerns, along with pediatric health-related issues, winter illnesses and more as one in three Michiganders have contracted the virus, according to reports.

All of these challenges are leading to burnout among working parents and many are looking to their employers, and others, to help address these challenges.

Detroit resident LaToya Sturges, mother of two children (one in kindergarten and one in second grade), told the Michigan Chronicle that currently she is working from home and her kids are attending school virtually.

“When the school year started this year, they were in the building -- but it’s been lots of ups and downs,” Sturges said adding that she tried to keep things as “stable as possible” in an ever-changing society. “Even if they’re not in the building we’re still doing school at home,” Sturges said adding that she keeps up with her

community- or faithbased organizations.

While social distancing measures are in place, try connecting online through social media, or by phone or mail.

me … I want them happy, healthy in all aspects,” she said adding that being physically healthy includes being fully vaccinated and taking vitamins.

• Take care of yourself to better equip yourself to take care of others.

Sturges said that what made the pandemic difficult is not knowing when it will be over among other stressors, but like so many other millions of parents in the pandemic, she forges ahead and gets it done every day.

“I use therapy as a tool to better communicate; make sure everybody [is] doing good and healthy in all aspects,” she said adding that the biggest challenge is making sure everyone stays active and healthy, too. “Going outside is just not fun for me.”

children’s school work and both of her sons are ahead of their classmates.

The School District of the City of Pontiac employee said that both of her sons go to school in the school district and her work situation also fluctuated. At the start of the pandemic she worked from home, switched to hybrid, then went back to working at home.

“I do I like working from home -- I can focus a little bit better,” she said adding that as a single parent it’s not always easy to juggle responsibilities and overlapping duties such as work and personal life, but she makes it happen. “This is not as easy as I thought. this is a lot more work emotionally making sure I’m good, they’re good.

So, I put all of us in therapy just to make sure that everybody is doing okay.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed tips to help families cope during these ever-changing times including: • Take social media breaks.

• Take care of your body.

• Take deep breaths, stretch.

• Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

• Exercise regularly.

• Get plenty of sleep.

• Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco and substance use.

• Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Sturges added that therapy is a good tool because she is fixing any potential problems now.

• Connect with others you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

• Connect with your

“Anything that could damage them in the future I want to look at it now -- I don’t want two angry kids looking at

“Overall, I’m okay and my kids are okay with being at home,” she said, adding that she encourages parents to be fine, too, in the future for their overall well-being.

“Make sure you as a parent reach out to other parents [to lean on] and keep talking and stay patient and prayed up because it does get hard. It really does.”

CONGRATULATIONS

Daniel W. Jackson, FACHE,

CEO of DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, for being named a 2021 Men of Excellence honoree by the Michigan Chronicle.

• Get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine when available.

• Make time to unwind.

Try to do some other activities you enjoy.

Congratulations to Coleman A. Young II

The DMC family is grateful for the leadership, compassion and commitment you bring to the communities we serve.

Thank you, Michigan Chronicle, for your partnership and recognition.

To the Michigan Chronicle 2022

Men of Excellence

Detroit City Councilman At Large

“The People’s Champion & Detroit’s Servant”

LEADING WHAT’S NEXT Grand Valley State University congratulates B. Donta Truss, vice president for enrollment and development, on being named one of the Michigan Chronicle’s 2021 Men of Excellence.

Our students and all of the communities we serve have been enriched by his leadership and commitment to creating access and opportunity for all learners. His creation of pathway programs with high schools and other universities to help underserved students attend Grand Valley and his work on the Grand Valley Pledge tuition-free program for students from low-income backgrounds are just two examples of initiatives that led to significant gains in the number of first-year students of color at Grand Valley in Fall 2021.

We celebrate Vice President Truss’s impact and accomplishments and look forward to what’s next for our students under his leadership.

gvsu.edu

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| Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022

Money.

michiganchronicle.com

Michigan Chronicle Celebrates the

2022 Men of Excellence Honorees Rev. Charles Christian Adams

Excellence Personified Unaplogetically Black

Senior Pastor

Hartford Memorial Baptist Church

"Several men have gone above and beyond to impact our communities. With this in mind, the Michigan Chronicle is proud to bestow five exceptional leaders with special honors. Their dedication is inspiring and influence continues to build a great legacy."

VANGUARD AWARD

Kirk Mayes

Chief Executive Officer

Forgotten Harvest Kirk Mayes is the CEO of Forgotten Harvest, one of Michigan’s top Non-profit organizations and one of the nation’s premiere food rescue organizations.

Kirk brings passion to his work in the community, and he values his chance to give back as the son of Jamaican parents who immigrated to the United States to create better lives. He attended Brother Rice High School and completed his college education at Michigan State University. Upon graduation, Kirk worked in a number of “for-impact” organizations driven by a personal mission to improve the educational, social and economic outcomes of the Detroit community.

In 2008, Kirk joined National Community Development Institute and The Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhood initiative in Brightmoor.

As a result of his service and leadership, Kirk has been received a number of recognitions and awards including being selected to participate in the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship in 2013 and a outstanding Alumni of Michigan State University in 2019. In addition to his professional role he participates in multiple initiatives and projects to improve the systems that drive change in Metro-Detroit.

“The Michigan Chronicle Men of

Rev. Charles Christian Adams served as the presiding pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church for eleven years as well as Co-Pastor, all this alongside his father, Dr. Charles G. Adams. On October 1, 2019, Rev. Charles Christian Adams became the fourth pastor in Hartford’s history. In addition to his preaching and teaching ministry at Hartford, Rev. Adams has traveled the world, ministering in Geneva, Switzerland for the World Council of Churches, Harare, Zimbabwe for the Baptist World Alliance Youth Conference and Johannesburg, South Africa for the American Baptist Churches. In April 2013, Rev. Adams received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College.

Rev. Adams is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, lifetime member of the NAACP and currently serves as the 1st Vice President of the Michigan Progressive Baptist Convention. He sits on the board of directors for the Detroit Recovery Project, Center for Urban Youth & Family Development and the Emmanuel House Recovery Center. Additionally, he sits on the board of directors for Morehouse School of Religion, Loyola High School and Ecumenical Theological Seminary.

Excellence Awards, in its 14th year, recognizes local African American men who inspire others through their vision, leadership, exceptional achievements, and participation in community service. They are men who exemplify Paul C. Ajegba extraordinary stature, poise and integrity Director During the 14th Annual Michigan Chronicle ofand Excellence Awards and Induction who continue to breakMen the mold Michigan Department of Transportation affectMan changeof in their and Ceremony, the Vanguard Awards, theprofessions Year Award and O'Neil Swanson Paul C. Ajegba hasLifetime more than 31 years of experience with the Michicommunity.

These men influence those Achievement Award will be bestowed upon these five outstanding pillarsganof the community.

Department of Transportation around them to go beyond the norm and (MDOT), and after 28 years with the Join us in celebrating their accomplishments on Thursday, January 27, department, 2021, he6was pm at the appointed by strive for greatness. They are champions Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as director International Marketplace in downtown Detroit. on Jan. 1, 2019. He previously served of our economic empowerment and MDOT for three months as Metro Region engineer and before that as diversity, the backbone of our business, University Region engineer. During his religious and educational organizations, VANGUARD AWARD seven years in the University Region, Ajegba oversaw his team's and driving forces in politics and service. involvement in the planning, design Gerald Johnson and building of several major projects, Help us welcome our new Executive Vice President, Global Manufacturing and Sustainability

General Motors

Gerald Johnson, executive vice president, Global Manufacturing and Sustainability, leads GM’s Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Labor Relations and Sustainability organizations.

He is responsible for approximately 94,800 employees representing more than 118 sites on four continents in 13 countries.

He is a member of GM’s Senior Leadership Team, and the GM PAC Board and Steering Committee. Johnson is a founding member of GM’s Inclusion Advisory Board, whose goal is to improve diversity, equity and inclusion within GM through words, deeds and culture; and ultimately help GM become the most inclusive company in the world.

Johnson started his career at General Motors in 1980 at the Fisher Body Plant in Euclid, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial administration from Kettering University and a master’s degree in manufacturing operations from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Johnson is on the Kettering University Board of Trustees and Caterpillar Inc.’s Board of Directors. He has served as a mentor to many young professionals, as well as played an active role in several community organizations.

He and his wife, Lynn, have seven children, and one grandchild.

VANGUARD AWARD

Bishop John Drew Sheard Chief Prelate and Chief Apostle

KIRK MAYES

MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD Ray Curry President

UAW

Ray Curry was elected President of the United Auto Workers, on June 28, 2021.

A tireless supporter of civil and human rights, Curry joined the UAW in 1992 while employed at Freightliner Trucks.

He quickly became active by serving on committees and being elected to several leadership roles. Later, he was appointed to the UAW Staff in 2004 advancing to assistant director in 2010 and in 2014 being elected Director of Region 8. Elected Secretary-Treasurer in 2018, Curry was instrumental in implementation of broad financial ethics reforms.

A North Carolina native and military veteran, Curry served three years on active duty in the U.S. Army and five years in the Army Reserve. He holds a BS in business administration from the University of North Carolina and an MBA from the University of Alabama.

He has received numerous awards including the National Newspaper Publishers Association Leadership Award, the PR Latta Rank and File Award from the North Carolina AFLCIO, and is a Gold Life member of the NAACP and serves on the NAACP Board of Directors.

O'NEIL SWANSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Dave Bing

Church of God In Christ

Founder and Chairman

Bishop Sheard’s visionary leadership provoked phenomenal growth and the implementation of innovative programs in both his local church and the International church. Bishop Sheard’s ideas have propelled him to the forefront of both the civic and religious community, and have gained him recognition as a “bridge builder” to other denominations. Currently, he serves as a member of the Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Jurisdictional Bishop of the Michigan- North Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, and as the Senior Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit. In 2004, Bishop Sheard received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree, and in 2007 was inducted into the prestigious Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers.

In 2009, Bishop Sheard and his wife, Karen Clark-Sheard, founded Karew Records, a faith-based record label focusing on various forms of Gospel, Christian and Inspirational music.

Bishop Sheard is married to Evg. Karen Clark Sheard and has two children, Kierra Valencia and J. Drew, II. He is the proud grandfather of 2.

O, Forgotten Harvest

Men of Excellence class.”

Bing Youth Institute GERALD JOHNSON Dave Bing has uniquely claimed suc-

cess in three distinct arenas: professional sports, business and politics.

Bing was elected the 62nd Mayor of the City of Detroit in 2009. A native of Washington, D.C., Bing is a graduate of Syracuse University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics, and was later bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Laws.

Bing came to Detroit in 1966 when he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons as their #1 pick. Bing was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame in 1984, and into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1990.

Bing turned his winning strategies from the basketball court to the boardroom as the founder of an automotive supply corporation, The Bing Group in 1980, where he served as President and Chairman until 2009. Within a decade, The Bing Group was recognized as one of the nation’s top Minority-Owned Companies by Black Enterprise.

Bing’s latest challenge is establishing the Bing Youth Institute whose mission is to create a meaningful mentoring experience to help unleash the unlimited potential in young men of color.

including the US-23 Flex Route, a project nominated for the America’s Transportation Award, landing among the top 12 national finalists. Other notable projects include the I-94 improvements project in Ann Arbor/Jackson, the I-96/US-23 interchange, and the I-75 freeway project.

Ajegba holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Prairie View A&M University and a master’s degree in construction engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Michigan.

Ajegba is a member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and serves on the following boards: The Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), ITS America, Mcity, the University of Michigan Civil and Environmental Engineering Friends Association (serves as board chair), the Engineering Society of Detroit, and the Mackinac Bridge Authority.

Deola Animashaun

North Central Community Region Executive for the Retail Community Banking Division

Bank of America Deola Animashaun is the North Central Community Region Executive for the Retail Community Banking Division for Bank of America. This region consists of 8 markets spanning across Chicago, Dallas, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Iowa.

As the Region Executive, Deola is responsible for developing end-to-end business strategies to improve productivity, proficiency and the overall competitive position in the community markets.

He formerly was Consumer Banking Region Executive for Michigan and previously the Consumer Banking Market Leader in West Cobb, Georgia. Deola joined the Bank of America Team in 2016 after 12 years at Chase serving in various leadership roles.

A graduate of the Georgia State University Executive MBA program, Deola is passionate about Diversity and Inclusion.

His work and commitment earned him the prestigious 2019 Diversity and Inclusion award. He is a member of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, the NAACP and co-chair of the Black Professionals Employee Networking Group. Deola is also the executive sponsor for PCN Michigan chapter. Deola resides in Sterling Heights, Michigan with his wife Ada. They have one son and three daughters.

BISHOP J. DREW SHEA

Executive Vice President Global Manufacturing and Sustainability General Motors

Chief Prelate and Chief Apos Church of God in Christ

Jason Barnett

Senior Vice President

Invest Detroit

Mr. Barnett joined Invest Detroit in October 2016 with over 12 years of commercial banking and underwriting experience. He is focused on the activities of the small business fund and urban loan fund, designed to provide financial support to neighborhood retail businesses in targeted areas of the greater downtown. Most recently, he served as a senior loan consultant, for a commercial loan brokerage firm, where he managed a non-profit and commercial lending portfolio of more than $20 million and was responsible for business development and full portfolio management.

Page A-6 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Rev. Dr. Steve Bland Jr. Senior Pastor

Bill Grice

Vice President and Executive Director

Liberty Temple Baptist Church

Minority Business Development Agency, MBDA

Rev. Dr. Steve Bland Jr. has served as the Senior Pastor of Liberty Temple Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. for the last seventeen years. He also served as former Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois, where he served faithfully for over 16 years. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he recently celebrated over 37 years in the Gospel Ministry.

Dr. Bland is a renowned, sought-after speaker on a wide range of topics, including leadership development, biblical studies, church administration, life skills management, voter engagement, financial management, and effective teaching. He has hosted a gospel radio show called “Rappin with the Rev” and a community issues show called “What’s Going On!” He is a counselor and life coach. Dr. Bland serves on the Governor’s and Mayor’s Advisory Board in Michigan as he did in Illinois. He was the first president of the Young Pastors & Ministers of the National Baptist Convention USA, and was president of One Church One Child, State of Illinois. He is the founder of Project R.I.S.E. Dr. Bland is married to the former P. Jennette Brooks, and f­ ather of four children.

Bill Grice is currently the President and CEO of MW ADVANTAGE LLC and Director of the Minority Business Development Center in Detroit Michigan (MBDA), the MBDA Center operates under a federal grant from the Department of Commerce department. The Center is Operated by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC).

Prior to joining MBDA Bill served in many roles as a resilient C-Suite leader and serial entrepreneur. Bill is a noted industry sector expert and advisor in automotive, consumer, industrial, and medical products as well as machinery & equipment. Bill has an extensive background working with public and privately-owned companies in the areas of turnaround management. He has successfully assisted and obtained new and expanded credit facilities with alternative sources of capital. As an investor, he has also actively participated, invested, and completed M&A activities and transactions.

Grice is a family man married for 34 years to high school sweetheart, with three lovely adult children and five grands who are the love of his life!

Bill has helped facilitate capital raises of $4.5 million for the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation.

Lester A. Booker Jr.

Vice President, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Communications

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. An award-winning marketing and communications leader, Lester A. Booker, Jr. is the first-ever vice president, head of diversity, equity & inclusion communications at Citizens Financial Group, Inc. Booker helps iconic brands successfully engage and support underrepresented communities through authentic communications and innovative community-focused programming.

Before joining Citizens Financial Group, Inc., he held positions with General Motors, the Ford Motor Company Fund via Campbell Marketing and Communications, Palace Sports & Entertainment with the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock.

As a distinguished Central Michigan University (CMU) alumnus, Booker continues to support his alma mater as an alumni association board member and serves as a member of the Chippewa Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee, Detroit Advisory Task Force, and Black Alumni Chapter. In January 2020, he also established the Lester A. Booker Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. This annual $5,000 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student committed to uplifting underrepresented communities.

A Detroit native, Booker holds a Master of Science in administration degree, with a sports concentration and a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in broadcast and cinematic arts both from CMU.

Dwane Casey Head Coach

Detroit Pistons Dwane Casey was named head coach of the Detroit Pistons on June 11, 2018 after seven years at the helm with the Toronto Raptors. Casey came to Detroit after being named 2018 Coach of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) and being honored as the 2018 NBA Coach of the Year as voted upon by national media covering the NBA. While with the Raptors, Casey led the Raptors to a franchise record five consecutive postseason appearances from 2014-18. He was also selected as the Eastern Conference head coach at the 2018 NBA AllStar Game. Casey left the Raptors as the franchise’s all-time winningest coach.

Casey, 64, has served as a head coach, associate head coach and assistant coach in the NBA for 24 seasons. He has coached in two NBA Finals (1996 and 2011).

A native of Morganfield, Kentucky, Casey earned a degree in business administration from Kentucky in 1979. He was inducted into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame on September 7, 2021. Casey and his wife, Brenda, have a daughter, Justine, and son, Zachary.

Edward Ewell, Jr. Judge

Wayne County Circuit Court

Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Harris President

Ecumenical Theological Seminary The Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Harris serves as the sixth president and professor of biblical studies at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. He most recently served as president and academic dean (2017-2020). He served as vice president of academic affairs/academic dean from 2011-2016. Dr. Harris is the founding pastor of the Detroit Bible Tabernacle (formerly Detroit Baptist Temple) where he has been honored to serve for over thirty-five years.

Dr. Harris has served on the executive board of the Great Lakes Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, the board of trustees of Western Theological Seminary and as education chair of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity. He now serves on the board of Westside Christian Academy and is chair of the board of directors of Franklin Wright Settlements, Inc., in Detroit. Currently, Dr. Harris is presiding over the pastoral advisory committee for the DPTV series, “The History of the Black Church in Detroit.”

He was married to the former Ruthie White for fifty years before her passing in 2020 and is the father of two dynamic daughters.

Ritchie Harrison

Co-Director, Great Lakes Leadership Academy

Michigan State University Extension Ritchie H. Harrison is a leader and an advocate for building thriving communities. He grew up in Detroit, attended Martin Luther King Jr. High School, and he also lived in the southern US and on the east coast. He credits his upbringing for shaping his vision and appreciation for urban planning and community development.

Currently, Ritchie is the co-director of the Great Lakes Leadership Academy (GLLA) at the Michigan State University Extension. For more than 15 years he has been involved in neighborhood improvement and transformation in the City of Detroit. He serves on the City of Detroit Planning Commission and is a member of the board of directors for Sidewalk Detroit and Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice. Additionally, Ritchie serves as a principal facilitator for Brother Also Read.

Ritchie is an alumnus Eastern Michigan University (BS urban planning), University of Detroit-Mercy (Master of Community Development), Great Lakes Leadership Academy, Larson Leadership Program at ULI, and the Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program at Wayne State University. He is an outdoor enthusiast and an avid runner who has completed nine half marathons.

Jahquan Hawkins

Dean of Student Services

Oakland Community College

Judge Edward Ewell attended the University of Michigan majoring in Economics. He pursued a Master’s of Science program from Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. He then attended Wayne State University Law School before clerking for the late Honorable Damon J. Keith of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

During his tenure in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he was also responsible for prosecuting criminal civil rights violations. Judge Ewell was then appointed general counsel for Wayne County. He managed a municipal corporate law office which handled an array of lawsuits and claims against the county as well as development projects.

In August 2003, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Judge Ewell to the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan. He was recently recommended for appointment to the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Judge Ewell lives in Detroit with his wife of thirty-three years, Cooley Law Professor Florise Neville-Ewell. They have two grown children.

Jahquan (Jawan) Hawkins is a native Detroiter, husband, father and College Success Coach. Jahquan has experienced a successful career in higher education and now serves as the Dean of Student Services at Oakland Community College’s Auburn Hills campus.

Jahquan believes in empowering the community by empowering others.

In 2011, he and a group of college stakeholders helped establish OCC’s Man Up Program which provides higher education exposure opportunities for young men in Southfield Public Schools. Jahquan is the Co-Director of this dynamic effort which has seen over 300 young men earn transferable college credit as dual enrollees at the OCC. In 2016, Jahquan published his first book entitled Finding My Way: A Practical Guide to College Success. The text has been adopted by institutions such as the City Colleges of Chicago, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan as a mechanism to help students adjust to the culture of the higher education environment. As a College Success Coach, Jahquan travels the country helping students navigate the higher education environment in route to reaching their personal and educational goals.

Dr. Dexter K. Flemming

Damany Head

Michigan Center for Oral Surgery

Pontiac Regional Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Flemming was born and raised in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad and after earning a scholarship, he attended the University of the West Indies Dental School. After earning his DDS degree, Dr. Flemming completed a general practice residency, oral medicine residency and Master of Science in oral biology at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Dr. Flemming then served as a clinical assistant professor and assistant general practice residency director at the University of Michigan school of dentistry. Following this, Dr. Flemming enrolled at the Ohio State University and completed an oral maxillofacial residency. Dr. Flemming entered private practice in September 2007.

Dr. Flemming practices a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise ranging from dental implant surgery and wisdom tooth removal to corrective jaw surgery. This also includes techniques designed to rebuild bone structure with minimal surgical intervention and optimal patient comfort.

We can also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries, and fractures.

As a dedicated husband and father of two, Dr. Flemming has many interests outside of oral surgery. He enjoys traveling, sports and is involved in his church.

A managing partner in Essential Recycling, where he has been expanding recycling in the commercial industry since 2008.

A graduate of Ohio Northern University with a degree in mechanical engineering, Damany spent half of his professional life working for engineering firms, like Quaker Chemical and General Motors. During the height of the recession in 2008, Damany was faced with a decision: would he continue his career as an engineer or hone the skills he already possessed into a business that could help business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders for years to come. Essential Recycling was born in that moment.

In 2016, he became the chair of the Pontiac Regional Chamber of Commerce Board, where he works with civic governmental business leaders to have a voice in the city’s planning initiatives.

Damany lives in southeast Michigan, with his wife, Shanell, and their three children.

An accomplished trainer and public speaker, Damany has been studying leadership and training for over ten years. He is currently a National Trainer with the New Leadership Council and conducts training workshops throughout the country.

Angelo Glenn

Terrence M. Hicks

Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network Board of Directors

Metro Strategies, Inc.

Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon

Chairperson

Angelo Glenn is the newly appointed Chairperson to the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network’s (DWIHN) Board of Directors. He has served the citizens of Detroit and Wayne County since being appointed to Board of Directors by the Wayne County Commission in 2013.

As Board Chair, Glenn will oversee the organization’s mission and vision to ensure the highest quality of behavioral health services and supports, care and treatment are accessible to the 75,000 people served by DWIHN in Wayne County.

He believes his own story of drug addiction and recovery can be an inspiration for others. Glenn worked for Mariner’s Inn, a drug treatment facility for 15 years. While he was the Substance Abuse Prevention Director, he helped young men with mental illness, substance use disorder, and those at risk for homelessness, find the resources and recovery tools necessary to get back on their feet.

Seven years ago, Glenn started his own facilities management company where he employs persons in recovery. He is committed to working with these individuals to ensure they are engaged in services, and emphasizes that recovery comes first.

Chairman

Managing Principal

Terrence M. Hicks is a driven successful community relations and workforce strategist. He has over 15 years of experience in the corporate, non-profit, education and public sectors.

Terrence’s career began in the corporate world at the Ford Motor Company Fund. Hicks co-managed a $5m budget, and managed more than 20 non-profit organizations.

For Metro Strategies, Terrence focuses his work on new paradigms that enable local, minority businesses to participate in large infrastructure projects.

Terrence also headed the MDOT’s Office of Business Development where he developed and implemented some of Michigan’s most creative and innovative policies to ensure the inclusion of small, local-based businesses.

Hicks served as past president (2010-2012), Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Michigan Chapter where his leadership earned them the 2011 COMTO Emerging Chapter of the Year.

As a significant pillar of his business, Hicks was one of the first to obtain the Part 107 Unmanned Airial Vehicle (Drone) pilot’s license. In 2021, Hicks was appointed to the Aviation Rules Committee (ARC) Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rules recommendation team.

Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com | Page A-7

Senator Adam Hollier

Andre L. Johnson

Michigan Senate

Detroit Recovery Project

Senator Adam Hollier was born and raised in the north end of Detroit where generations of his family have lived since the 1940s. The son of a former social worker and a retired Detroit Fire Department captain, service to people and the community were ingrained in Hollier from a young age.

Sen. Hollier served as a volunteer firefighter before enlisting in the U.S. Army and graduating with distinction from officer candidate school. He currently serves as a paratrooper and Public Works Officer in the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion.

He began his public service in roles as a staffer in the state legislature and with local officials in the city of Detroit. As senator, Hollier has secured funding and gained bipartisan support for critical programs throughout the region, including career readiness, business development, mentoring and education initiatives. Senator Hollier has a passion for community and believes that developing careers and businesses, strengthening public education, pushing for fair representation within district maps, affordable childcare, and fostering strong, safe neighborhoods are key to the continued growth of our region.

Andre L. Johnson, a native Detroiter, is the Founder/President/CEO of the Detroit Recovery Project Incorporated--a non-profit, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) delivering services to more than 3,000 people annually.

Detroit Recovery Project provides comprehensive integrated health services that include a full range of mental health and substance-use disorder services such as: primary care, therapy, psychiatric evaluations, peer recovery coaching; GED preparation; twelve-step support groups; housing assistance; job readiness and employment assistance, as well as and HIV prevention, testing, counseling and harm reduction services.

Johnson is known internationally for his work in the field of addiction.

In 2016, Johnson was recognized at the White House by President Barack Obama as the “2016 Champion of Change for Prevention, Treatment and Recovery”.

Johnson consulted on behalf of the United States President Emergency Plan Against Aids to the Department of Ministry of Health, in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Johnson is also a board member of the Wayne Center--an agency that provides services for the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled.

2nd Senate District

Dimitrius Hutcherson

Founder, President, CEO

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Technology Officer

John. E. Johnson Jr.

First Independence Bank

Michigan Department of Civil Rights

Dimitrius Hutcherson works for First Independence Bank as executive vice president, chief administrative officer & chief technology officer. He has responsibility for the human resources, technology, retail banking, and external affairs.

Dimitrius is chairman emeritus of the National Black Child Development Institute, Inc., board member and treasurer, Harvard Business School Club of Michigan; board member, Michigan Roundtable on Diversity & Inclusion; board member, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation; board member Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan and board member, the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation. He served as vice chair of the Board of Trustees of the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania where he chaired the Investment Committee (Sept.

2015 – Oct. 2020).

Dimitrius has prior work experience in senior level roles at PNC Financial Services Group, Deloitte Services, LP, Freddie Mac, GMAC Commercial Mortgage, GE Capital, Ernst & Young, LLP and JP Morgan Chase. Dimitrius earned a BA degree in finance, cum laude, at Morehouse College and an MBA in finance and business strategy from Harvard Business School.

Dr. Thaddaeus Irby

Senior Manager, Enterprise Technology

Lockheed Martin

Dr. Thaddaeus Irby currently performs as a senior manager of enterprise technology at Lockheed Martin (LM) and is an adjunct professor at Wayne State University (WSU). At LM, Dr. Irby leads a global team in implementing and sustaining corporate enterprise systems. At WSU, he teaches MBA-level courses focusing on management, strategy, and leadership in the 21st century.

Dr. Irby has participated in or led over 100 community service activities. Dr. Irby created a STEM mentoring video with National Geographic. He is a registered yoga and meditation teacher, a member of 100 Black Men of Metro Detroit, and founded an after-school program that focuses on life skills and the integration of arts into STEM. His professional excellence and community service contributions is noted through his many recognitions: Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) – Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award, Lockheed Martin – Individual Excellence Award, BEYA - Modern Day Technology Leader Award, DoD High Performance Computing – Up & Coming Hero Award, a U.S. Presidents Community Service Award, & the U.S.A.F. Joint Service Achievement Medal.

Executive Director

John. E. Johnson, Jr. is the executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and a member of Governor Whitmer’s cabinet.

MDCR is the operational arm of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, enforcing state and federal civil rights laws. Johnson oversees an annual budget of more than $18 million and offices in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit.

Before his appointment, Johnson served as MDCR’s legislative liaison. Prior to his service with MDCR, Johnson was the director of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, a position he held for seven years.

Johnson has held several leadership positions, including corporation counsel for the City of Detroit, general counsel to the Detroit NAACP, deputy director of the Legal Aid and Defender Association, and hearing officer for the Michigan Tax Tribunal. He was a management consultant with Legal Services Corporation and owned a private law practice.

Johnson was born in Buffalo, New York. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University and a Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University. He has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan for more than 41 years.

Jacob B. Keli

Associate Vice Chancellor of the District Purchasing Department

Wayne County Community College District

Born in Tanzania, East Africa, Jacob Keli is the associate vice chancellor of the district purchasing department at Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD), where he oversees all purchases needs to maintain six campuses and 8,000 students.

Jacob has also worked with Inner City Improvement Forum (ICIF) as a senior analyst, New Detroit, Inc. as vice president of finance, and Kaskel Construction as president.

Jacob’s love of Detroit’s culture, history and people motivates him to uplift the community and its youth. He tirelessly volunteers and raises money to support worthwhile causes, such as the Detroit Metro Foster Girls Home, so the girls could live a better life, and The Sacred Heart Men of Isuthu Rites of Passage Program mentoring boys 6-17 to mentally, spiritually and morally prepare them for manhood. Jacob also established a relationship between the City of Tanga, Tanzania and the City of Toledo to obtain a fire truck and create a student exchange program with the University of Toledo. For his efforts, Jacob received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, the International Rotary Club highest award, in 2006.

Amin Irving

Founder, President, CEO

Ginosko Development Company Amin Irving is the founder, president, and CEO of Ginosko Development Company with a capitalized portfolio value of over $585 million.

He is responsible for the overall performance and operation of all divisions of the GDC family of companies. Irving oversees the strategy and the development process throughout the full life cycle of a real estate endeavor.

Irving is driven to help catalyze socio-economically diverse neighborhoods through housing development. Irving was attracted to real estate development at 18 after his mother’s passing when he found himself in difficult negotiations over the sale of his mother’s home.

“The broker thought that I should sell the house for $20,000 less than what I thought it could be sold for; and the house ended up being sold at my suggested price within two weeks,” said Irving, “That sparked my real estate drive.”

Irving has served on numerous Boards and Advisory Councils including the Chairman of the Board for both the Michigan Housing Council and the Area Agency on Aging 1-B. Irving was awarded the Crain’s Detroit Business Top 40 Businessperson’s under 40 years old in 2008.

Daniel Jackson

Kenneth Mathies

Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for The Auto Club Group

Automobile Association of America (AAA)

Ken Mathies currently serves as the vice president and chief diversity officer for The Auto Club Group - Automobile Association of America (AAA). Ken is a certified diversity professional (CDP) and has over 30 years of leadership experience within information technology organizations, business management, marketing, and legal operations. In his current capacity, Ken works collaboratively with executive leadership, corporate business organizations and employees to promote a corporate culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and corporate social responsibility.

Ken has held a number of leadership roles for The Auto Club Group (AAA) including manager technology deployment, director of enterprise technology support & implementation, and director of service desk operations & security administration.

Ken was the recipient of the MIDC 2018 Diversity Leadership Award, 2020 Corp Magazine Diversity Leader Award, named to the 2021 Top 100 Chief Diversity Officers and is currently nominated for the 2021 Executive of the Year by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council. Ken serves on the board of directors for an Ohio based information technology corporation and serves on the board of directors for the Michigan Diversity Council.

CEO

DMC Sinai-Grace Daniel Jackson is the chief executive officer at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital. Most recently he served as vice president, administration, with WellStar Health System & Atlanta Medical Center - South, where he previously served as chief administrative officer prior to its acquisition from Tenet. Daniel brings nearly 20 years of valuable healthcare experience to the DMC, having worked in numerous senior leadership roles, including prior roles with Tenet.

Daniel earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and a Master of Science in public health administration from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. He is highly committed to the community that Sinai-Grace serves and understands the importance of engaging with the community in meaningful and relevant ways.

Daniel’s focus is on cultivating a culture at Sinai-Grace that makes the hospital an employer of choice which will attract and retain the best talent available in order to provide compassionate, high-quality and safe care to the patients they serve.

Jonathan Jennings

Vice President, Global Commodity Purchasing and Supplier Technical Assistance

Matthus Joshua

Executive Director, Infotainment & Connectivity

General Motors

Matthus (Matt) Joshua was appointed to executive director of infotainment and connectivity in April 2019. Matt oversees a global team comprised of over 1500 engineers and software developers. Matt is responsible for the strategic direction and innovation across the corporate I&C portfolio, design and creation of user experience for displays, in-vehicle audio, and software development. Additionally, Matt leads a team of dedicated executives in the semiconductor field strategically positioning GM for the future of EV and technology.

Previously, Matt served as an executive director for AV/EV commercialization and industrialization. In this role, Matt was responsible for the creation of a sustainable business model to support an all AV/EV future.

Matt has the distinction of driving the creation of successful commercial frameworks and contracts to enable innovation across GM’s whole vehicle including the enablement of the autonomous vehicle program.

He began his professional career at Allison Transmission Division (formerly GM) in Indianapolis; first as an intern during his undergraduate studies and fulltime in 1999 in the supplier quality organization. Born in Columbia, Missouri, Matt Joshua earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Purdue University.

Ford Motor Company

Jonathan Jennings is vice president, global commodity purchasing and supplier technical assistance, effective Aug. 1, 2020. He reports to Hau Thai-Tang, chief product development and purchasing officer.

In this role, Jennings is responsible for all production procurement, together with quality and launch performance of the supply base through the company’s supplier technical assistance team. Previously, Jennings was executive director, Global Commodity Purchasing, responsible for production commodity purchasing, strategic planning, material cost delivery and overall production supplier cost performance.

Before commodity purchasing, Jennings was director, Enterprise Product Line Management - Luxury Vehicles. In that role, he and his global Lincoln team applied deep customer insights to deliver highly desired products and value to the customer along with managing business results.

Jennings joined Ford in 1993 as a manufacturing engineer at the Cleveland Casting Plant, where he held a variety of cross-functional roles there. He also served as Supplier Technical Assistance engineering director in Asia Pacific and Africa, where he oversaw approximately 1,800 supplier manufacturing facilities for Ford. Besides Detroit and Cleveland, Jennings has lived and worked in Kansas City, Chicago, Hermosillo (Mexico), Bangkok (Thailand) and Shanghai.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and a master’s degree in business administration from Eastern Michigan University.

Brian McKinney Sr. CEO, Founder

Gayanga

Brian McKinney Sr. is the CEO and Founder of Gayanga Co., a licensed, bonded, and insured construction engineering startup specializing in total demolition, site clearing excavation and earthwork, environmental services, asset recovery, underground utilities (electrical and water), and trucking. Over the last decade, Brian has amassed a wealth of experience in startup culture, business ownership, leading-edge technologies, analytics, real estate development, coalition building, and unlocking the potential of underserved communities.

Before founding Gayanga Co., Brian launched a series of tech startups, including The Tax Chief, an online tax preparation service that allowed Certified Public Accountants to prepare taxes at a low-cost rate for individuals traditionally targeted by substandard tax franchises in urban communities.

When away from work, Brian strives to make a social impact through technology as the cofounder of JOURNi, a tech non-profit working to increase computer science training and startup access in underserved communities. He also works with universities in Michigan to bring tech professionals of color on campuses to speak about tech and career development.

Page A-8 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Jacques Mullins

National Sales Director

Ace Petroleum, Inc.

An eclectic, award-winning, professional career has stationed Jacques Mullins securely as a highly regarded employee across consumer products, mechanical fasteners, medical technology, and petroleum industries. In each of these arenas, Jacques experienced meteoric rise in both position and responsibility.

During Jacques’ stint with AGFA Corporation, he grew the film business by 25%. During consecutive years, Jacques earned AGFA awards. Among other achievements, he won the President’s Club Award for Top Salesperson in the Central Zone, and he was a threetime winner of the Gold Rush Award for Exceeding Sales in all revenue areas.

In addition to Jacques’ commitment to excellence in the workplace, he accepts engagements to lecture youngsters about making wise decisions, setting goals for the future, discovering what is needed to achieve goals, and creating the disciplines to transition dreams into reality. He passionately champions entrepreneurial thinking among persons who dream of making life better for themselves, their families, and their community. Jacques aspires to positively impact the lives of these dreamers with explosive power.

Earl Newsome

Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Cummins Inc.

Earl Newsome is vice president and chief information officer of Cummins Inc. He assumed the role in April 2021.

Newsome came to Cummins after five years at Linde, a global industrial gases company, leading the organization as the Americas IT CIO where he served as a trusted advisor and business partner on IT. Newsome is a skilled strategic leader with over 30 years of global IT leadership experience and a strong vision for leading IT and digital transformations for global companies.

Newsome began his career serving in the U.S. Army after graduating from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Following his military service, Newsome has dedicated his career to leading IT development and initiatives across several industries, including his time as vice president of Global Shared Services and chief technology officer at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Newsome is actively involved in several leadership organizations, including the Executive Leadership Council, the Information Technology Senior Management Forum and the West Point Association of Graduates. He also serves on the board of directors, Beacon (BECN), and board of directors, NaviSite.

Bernard Parker III

Director, Government Relations

Detroit Regional Chamber Bernard Parker III is director of government relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber, serving the City of Detroit as well as Wayne and Oakland counties on behalf of Chamber members. Before joining the Chamber, Parker worked for Wayne County under Executive Warren C. Evens as deputy chief of staff and commission liaison. He then served as the director of commission affairs for Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell.

In 2009, Parker and his wife April created Bp3 and Associates, LLC, a strategic business development firm working with the construction industry following several leadership roles in business development for companies like Walbridge and Insituform Technologies.

Parker’s career also includes years of supporting political campaigns and working with the city of Detroit as a member of former Mayor Dennis W. Archer Sr.’s Purchasing Ordinance Revision Committee and serving on the City of Detroit’s transition team for the Detroit Public Lighting Department. Parker has a bachelor’s in public administration from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, andreceived his formal training as a legal assistant from the American Institute for Paralegal Studies.

Darrell Rounds

Lead, North American EV Infrastructure Strategy

General Motors

Darrell Rounds has been employed by General Motors for over 24 years and currently serves as a leader within the Electric Vehicle Occupational Safety organization. He received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University and his M.S. degree in Construction Management from Eastern Michigan University. He carries the designation of Facilities Management Administrator from BOMI International and is a Certified Energy Manager with the Association of Energy Engineers. He serves on several industry boards including the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Industry Advisory Group and the National Institute of Building Sciences as its Treasurer.

Darrell is an Associate Pastor of Outreach at the Detroit Campus of Kingdom Apostolic Ministries where the Senior Pastor is Bishop Lambert Wade Gates, Sr. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and is the Membership Director of the Iota Rho Lambda Chapter serving Pontiac, MI. Among his many achievements, his proudest accomplishment is being a devoted husband to his wife Suwanya and a father to his three children Kristen, Darrell Christopher, and Alexis.

Caleb Rutledge President & CEO

Goodwill’s Green Works As a highly accomplished executive with extensive experience in advertising, marketing strategy, project management, digital media planning and vertical integration, Mr. Rutledge is currently the President and CEO of Goodwill Green Works (GGW) a subsidiary of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit (GIGD). Mr. Rutledge is responsible for leading the organization in every aspect of the business including, diversifying revenue streams and ensuring profitability while delivering quality service. His responsibilities also include the overall safety initiatives in GGW, GIGD and commercial sales and operations. As a member of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Executive team, he helps set the organization’s strategic direction and contributes to the entire organization’s successful execution of the strategic plan.

Prior to joining GGW, Rutledge held several positions at Habitat for Humanity Detroit including: Director of Operations, ReStore Director, and Procurement Manager.

As an aspiring young professional Rutledge recognized the importance of giving back. He co-founded the non-profit Legacy Associates Foundation (LAF), which focused on economic empowerment, scholastic achievement, and community involvement.

Reginald B. Scott II CFO

Detroit Land Bank Authority Reginald B. Scott II is a lifelong Detroiter with a consistent history of public service.

Reginald is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the Detroit Land Bank Authority where he is responsible for managing a 56M annual budget, and prior to his promotion, he served as director of disposition responsible for all sales and creation of sales programs that bolstered the growth of the organization.

Prior to joining the DLBA, Reginald was Chief Financial Officer for Innovative Teaching Solutions, which serviced the largest charter school district in the State of Michigan. Reginald orchestrated a 28M bond issuance for the acquisition and construction of schools in Northwest Detroit. Under his financial leadership, the Academy earned unqualified audit opinions for successive years.

Subsequently, Reginald founded an educational consultancy designed to provide financial and operational support for non-profit and school entities.

Reginald has a master’s degree in leadership from Wayne State University, and a BBA from Ross School of Business at The University of Michigan. Reginald currently active serves on several boards within community and a men’s leader in his local church.

Thomas J. Seabron

Senior Vice President Wealth Management, Global Financial Advisor

Morgan Stanley

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Tom was a football team member and four-year varsity letterman. After completing his undergraduate education, Thomas played professionally with the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Cardinals. He has been married for 30 years to his high school sweetheart Kathryn, and they have two adult children. Currently, a senior vice president and financial advisor with Morgan Stanley. Thomas is also the recipient of the “Citigroup Quarter Century Club” and “Smith Barney 30 Year Custom Crystal” Awards, in acknowledgement of his years of service with both companies. Tom offers serious investors 33 years of experience and financial guidance to help determine and meet investment objectives. He prides himself on possessing the exceptional ability to form dedicated client relationships.

Marcell R. Todd Jr.

Director, Detroit City Planning Committee

City of Detroit

Marcell R. Todd, Jr. is a native Detroiter and product of Detroit Public Schools. He studied architecture at Cass Technical High School and in 1991 earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University. Marcell’s service with the city of Detroit began as an intern with the City Planning Commission in June of 1990. Over the years he rose through the staff, and in December of 2006 the City Planning Commission, following the recommendation of the city council, appointed him as the new director. He continues in that capacity today, leading a staff of city planners as a member of the city council’s legislative policy division.

Marcell and his lovely wife Pamela Rhoades Todd celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary earlier this year. They reside on the westside of Detroit with their three sons, Jordan, Evan and Adam as well as the family dog, Bailey. Marcell is also ordained clergy in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and serves as an associate minister at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Midtown.

B. Donta Truss

Vice President for Enrollment and Development

Grand Valley State University

B. Donta Truss has served 22 years strengthening higher education institutions and establishing pathways that provide access to students, especially low-income and first-generation. As an accomplished administrator and educator, his experience ranges from roles at Historically Black Colleges/Universities to Predominantly White Institutions. He has held positions in nearly every branch of academia.

Truss is currently Vice President for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach at Grand Valley State University.

Truss is a triple graduate of Alabama State University. His doctorate is in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law. He has received several commendations, including recognition by his alma mater as a Top 50 Under 50 recipient, Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 Under 40 leader, and for the Cuthbert Georgia Rotary President’s Award. He is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and holds professional memberships in NASPA, SAIR, and Chi Sigma Iota. Truss also mentors through his nonprofit, Turning Dreams into Reality (TDI), aimed at developing African American Male collegiate scholars.

Nathaniel L. Wallace Program Director

Knight Foundation Nathaniel L. Wallace joined Knight Foundation in September 2019.

Wallace comes to Knight with nearly two decades of entrepreneurial and business management experience. Previously, he served as vice president of operations and co-owner of his international family firm, Communications Professionals Inc. (CPI). There, Wallace created both the IT services and staffing arms for the $20 million firm; developed infrastructure to pursue new markets; and led business and partnership development, talent acquisition, and growth strategy.

As a proud Detroit native, Wallace is deeply motivated by new possibilities for the city and its residents. He is an avid supporter of the local arts and cultural community and a strong advocate for artists of color.

Wallace is president of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Founders Junior Council board and is also on the board of Downtown Detroit Partnership and Artworks by Matrix Human Services. Other organizations Wallace has served with include the Music Hall of Performing Arts, Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program, Emerging Art Leaders Detroit, The District Detroit Art Advisory Committee, and Michigan Opera Theatre’s Opera Club.

Chief James White Police Chief

Detroit Police Department James E. White, born and raised in Detroit, is a 24-year veteran at the Detroit Police Department. White led the Detroit Police Department’s efforts to be released from two-decade-long federal consent agreements, which required the implementation of policies, training, and processes to protect the constitutional rights of citizens DPD officers engage or detain.

White also established a civilian advisory committee to help bridge the gap between civilians and sworn members within the department. He also worked to ensure that returning citizens had opportunities for employment within the Detroit Police Department in certain non-sworn capacities.

White left DPD in August 2020 when he was named Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and served as a member of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s cabinet. White was tapped for that role because of his track record of civil rights leadership at DPD. White, who is a state-licensed mental health counselor, has stated his commitment to look after the well-being of officers on the force who face difficult daily challenges.

James Williams

Vice President Global Key Accounts and Automotive Vertical Leader

North America at CEVA Logistics

James Williams is an experienced leader that embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and the practical understanding of a corporate industry veteran. Deep and broad experience in the OEM and Tier Automotive vertical, plus strong knowledge in other Supply Chains. A leader that strives to maximize business potential through innovation and enhance morale for both clients and colleagues.

James’ proven track record of driving exemplary financial results is contributed to his well-rounded background and the required skills, knowledge, and ability for developing and executing corporate strategy. In addition, his relentless desire for continuous improvements has led to standardized practices, reporting, and visibility in every phase of business development, from concept, through planning and execution, to optimization and replication across five continents.

James has more than 20 years of experience in Sales Management, Sales Operation, Global Account Management, and business development. James is currently Vice President Global Key Accounts and Automotive Vertical Leader for North America at CEVA Logistics focusing on bringing innovative supply chain solutions to global automotive clients.

Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com | Page A-9

Maurice Williams

Malik Yakini

General Manager – Sales Support, US Operations General Motors

Executive Director

Maurice Williams began his General Motors career thirty-seven years ago with the Pontiac Division in Los Angeles, California as a district manager in training. Since that time, he has earned positions of increasing responsibility in sales, service, and marketing departments throughout the company.

In his current position as general manager sales support since 2015, Maurice leads the teams throughout the United States in charge of order fulfillment, dealer business development, dealer diversity initiatives and other operations support for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. Under his leadership, GM expanded US automotive industry dominance in the number of minority owned dealerships.

Prior to this role, Maurice served as president and managing director of GM’s Middle East operations. There he led the sales, service, and marketing organizations representing GM brands in Middle East countries.

Chief among his professional accomplishments, Maurice most values the mentorship, guidance, and support he has given to the advancement of previously underrated and unrecognized employees. Maurice continues to play a pivotal role in the advocacy of diversity, inclusion, and promotion of underrepresented talent to management and executive level positions.

Michael D. Williams Director of Financial Aid

Schoolcraft College Michael is the director of financial aid and member of the executive team at Schoolcraft College. He has worked in the financial aid industry for over 18 years now in various capacities at 2- and 4-year public schools.

He has served as the 2020 President of the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association (MSFAA) and currently serves as the Delegate-At-Large for the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA).

He has served in various committees on campus namely the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion that was created to break down barriers, improving the student experience and with the understanding that diversity creates value not just for students but for the college community as a whole.

He has a BS in information systems management from Wayne State University and has been volunteering as a youth football coach for the past 19 years currently with the Detroit Spartans Youth Organization and providing mentorship to young men and women in the Detroit area. Michael also is founder of Selfless Images his very own photography company.

Roger Williams

Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN) Malik Kenyatta Yakini is co-founder and executive director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). DBCFSN operates the seven-acre D-Town Farm and is spearheading the opening of, the Detroit Food Commons, in Detroit’s North End that will house the Detroit People’s Food Co-op. He serves as a board member of the co-op. Yakini views the work of DBCFSN as part of the larger movement for building power, self-determination, and justice. He is adamantly opposed to the systems of white supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy. He has an intense interest in contributing to the development of an international food sovereignty movement that embraces Black communities in the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa. He is a co-founder of the National Black Food and Justice Alliance.

Coleman A. Young II Councilman

City of Detroit Coleman Alexander Young II, 39, City Councilman At Large for all Detroiters, served in the State House and Senate for 12 years. He passed 13 laws helping his constituents and resolved 12,000 constituent complaints, created 10,000 jobs with movie tax credits and appropriated $800,000,000 back to his district. He is focused on putting his legislative experience to use for the residents of Detroit. His priorities are: 1) Getting ALL Detroiters safely vaccinated to fully re-open the economy; 2)Neighborhood Public Safety and Development; 3)Streamlining Small Business Development Processes for Minority Businesses; 4)Establish a pilot guaranteed income program to address poverty; 5)Establish a Pilot Police Program for Advanced Peace, that includes Community Intervention; 6)Affordable Housing; and 7)Grants for Seniors and Residents for Home Improvement.

Coleman founded the Coleman A. Young II Educational Foundation to give free afterschool programs and laptops to Western, Renaissance and Martin Luther King High School students. These students attended Google and Princeton STEM Camps. He is a proud Tuskegee Airmen representing his father, Mayor Coleman A. Young and is a member of St. Paul Church of God In Christ.

Congratulations Michigan Chronicle

Agency Owner

Roger Williams Insurance, Inc. Roger is a husband, father, coach, entrepreneur, and champion for his community. He currently owns a State Farm Insurance agency and coaches youth basketball. Roger has served on the boards of the Detroit Public Schools Academy, Neutral Zone and A Place of Refuge. Roger has also been a mentor for the Midnight golf Program since 2006.

As a graduate of Siena heights University, Roger spent his first ten years of his career in education. After volunteering as a business coach for Camp Enterprise through New Detroit the Coalition, he decided to make the leap into entrepreneurship and has opened a number of businesses since then.

As a leader in his community, Roger has used his experience to help young people excel as adults. Roger believes that through mentorship and fellowship any community can be great.

M E Honorees

Driving innovation through inclusion.

Respecting a wide range of unique perspectives is key to our success. By listening, learning and showing up for everyone, General Motors is committed to becoming the most inclusive company in the world.

everybody in.

gm.com ©2022 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page A-10 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

BERNARD PARKER III

D i R E C TO R , G OVE R NM ENT R EL ATiONS

ON BEiNG NAMED A MiCHiGAN CHRONiCLE 2021 MEN OF EXCELLENCE HONOREE

DETROiTCHAMBER.COM

A truly excellent choice.

AAA congratulates 2021 Men of Excellence Honoree Ken Mathies.

We have been benefitting from Ken’s excellence since the day he joined AAA. We congratulate him on this prestigious honor and are extremely privileged to have him on our team.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

21-RM-0519

michiganchronicle.com | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | Page A-11

Michigan Chronicle DIGITAL DAILY

Keeping You Informed At All Times Of The Day

How are you feeling today?

michiganchronicle.com | DQE

Check in with your co-workers, friends, family and neighbors. Ask them, “How are you feeling today?”

Someone you know may be delaying important emergency care, chronic care or emotional care.

Remind them to get the care they need.

Remind them to reconnect with their doctor about ongoing care needs, and that delaying care could affect their health in a negative way. Remind them to ask about emotional health needs and health concerns that might be weighing on them.

At Ascension Michigan, appointments are available with strict precautions in place for your safety in our care. Doctors are offering virtual visits. And when your friends and family need care more urgently, our emergency rooms and urgent care clinics are open and ready.

Share this message. And find the care you need at ascension.org

Ascension Michigan © Ascension 2022. All rights reserved.

“THE POWER TO CHANGE THIS NARRATIVE IS YOUR CHOICE.” REV. HORACE SHEFFIELD III, PASTOR, NEW DESTINY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

The COVID-19 vaccines give us the power to protect ourselves and our communities.

As a pastor, Rev. Sheffield has seen too many of his church members suffer with COVID-19, then die in the hospital without the comfort of loved ones nearby. But he believes that the end of the pandemic is in our control. “We need to do this. We need to get vaccinated,” he says. Make a choice to change the narrative. Get your vaccine today.

Find your vaccine: Visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine, call 211, or text your zip code to 438829.

Page A-12 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

ECUMENICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Many traditions. One Spirit.

Congratulations to the Michigan Chronicle 14th Men of Excellence Class

Degrees Offered

Programs Offered

Doctor of Ministry Master of Divinity Master of Arts (Academic) Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry

Certificate in Theological Studies Urban Ministry Diploma Continuing Education

Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Harris

President and Professor of Biblical Studies

14TH MICHIGAN CHRONICLE MEN OF EXCELLENCE CLASS HONOREE 2930 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201 313.831.5200 / www.etseminary.edu ETS is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved: Master of Divinity, MA in Pastoral Ministry, Doctor of Ministry

City ity.. Life ife.. Style.

B1 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022

A Fresh Start:

Dig Deeper This Year

By Sherri Kolade “The best is yet to come.”

Frank Sinatra who was quoted as saying this got the right idea that better things lay ahead – but what’s the catch?

There doesn’t have to be, especially this year, because good things are ahead if you take hold of them first.

For Christians who believe in a higher power, Jesus, the thought of a new year brings new feelings of redemptive powers, a fresh start, and another chance to lay aside old things and walk into all things new.

Starting anew means walking into sometimes unfamiliar territories that stretch us. It’s uncomfortable at times to put into practice the common new year’s resolutions of eating right, getting fit or focusing on career growth. Spiritual goals and resolutions for some might look like praying more, reading the Bible or having a deeper relationship with God. All of these good intentions require discipline and determination that leads to stretching and growing.

Sheila Alewine, author of the article, Fight Spiritual Distractions with These 5 Tips, wrote that being distracted cannot only throw people off course but could lead to an unfulfilled life. No one wants that in 2022.

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

michiganchronicle.com

Nice’s Tea House

By Megan Kirk

A

 Opens in Detroit 

ntonice Strickland has worked in the public relations field for more than 10 years. Now, the PR professional is turning a childhood passion into a new business venture. Teaching Detroit to keep the good vibes rolling one cup at a time, the launch of Nice’s Tea House intends to pour more than just curated tea, but hopes to serve as a place of solace for all metro Detroiters.

As a child, tea was an intricate part of her life and a practice for the entire family to enjoy. Special moments with her mother helped to lay the foundation for what would become her passion. With age, drinking and experimenting with different teas became the norm.

“I’ve literally been drinking tea my whole life. I remember drinking tea with my mom as a child. My dad drinks tea as well, but honestly one of those childhood memories is drinking tea with my mom,” said Strickland. “As an adult, it became a place of solace for myself.”

to take the leap to expand her scope of entrepreneurship.

“I’ve really been seeking and positioning myself to do things that are aligned with me from a passion and purpose perspective.”

Officially launched in January 2022, Nice’s Tea House is more than a tea company – it also encompasses health and wellness. A certified yoga instructor and plant lover, Strickland hoped to create teas that would help with immunity and to help protect against COVID. It was not until the onset of the pandemic that Strickland found the additional time to pour into the business concept. Letting the idea steep and experimenting with different flavors, the formation of Nice’s Tea House was born.

“COVID hit everyone in a crazy way and in different ways and for me I started making teas in my apartment using tea bags. I was doing that to create

A graduate of Michigan State University and earning a master’s degree from Georgetown University, Strickland is no stranger to hard work and dedication. Though already successful in the world of PR, she decided

some of my at-home recipes of staying healthy and keeping my immune system up,” said Strickland. “I even started growing ginger in my home.”

Each tea is created to honor different aspects of the owner’s life, her ties to Detroit and her friendships. Nice’s Tea House offers six staple flavors: Audacious Detroit Chai, the immune-boosters Glow Up and Sage & Reset; Elevate for coffee lovers, and Dope, the brand’s green tea blend. The sixth tea, Jan’s Sweet Red, is named for Janice, the owner’s late mother. This tea serves as an homage to her life and legacy and recreates the childhood tea the two shared.

“That was created for my mom…. The teas I remember drinking as a kid were really cranberry apple tea. Obviously, it is herbal so kids can drink it. It has a beautiful deep red color. My mother’s favorite color was red,” said Strickland.

Though the teas are currently offered exclusively online, the owner plans to open a brick-and-mortar location in the near future.

“The goal is to have a physical location that is in Detroit and to pretty much set the same vibes as the tea sets.

See NICE'S TEA HOUSE Page B-2

Stopping Distractions in the New Year “There are many things that can cause us to be led astray from our devotion to Christ,” Alewine wrote.

“All of us know people who were once passionate about following Jesus, but either abandoned their faith completely or spend a lifetime struggling to develop a consistent, spiritually mature walk. You might be one of those people.”

Nice’s Tea House owner Antonice Strickland.

She also asks if God is concerned when we are distracted? The answer is yes.

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and from throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His,” 2 Chronicles 16:9 notes.

In 2022, let it be the year of living distraction-free lives moving in a purpose bigger, and deeper, beyond ourselves.

“Our diligence and loyalty are important to God,” she notes.

Some tips to help live a more intentional, God-filled life include:

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus Make a purposeful decision every day to keep the focus on Jesus.

Spend Time in Prayer and Reading God’s Word Regularly One common new year’s resolution for many is to have a deeper relationship with God. What does that look like practically?

For starters, spending time in God’s Word and having a devoted

See FRESH START Page B-2

PHAT Girls: A Dating Vibe

By Megan Kirk Society would have us believe there is no room in dating for full-figured women. With the introduction of social media, it became easier to compare body types of women in setting the standard of beauty and the tone for how plus-size women are to be viewed. While each woman’s story is not synonymous with others, some plush babes have experienced hardships in dating. Being curbed for their curves plus-size women are sometimes eliminated as viable dating options and shamed because of their weight.

The dating pool is already full of murky waters. Finding a forever love can prove to be a challenge and, in some cases, even more so for plus-size women. Society has come a long way, but the days of fat shaming and fetish sizing still exist. Many plus-size women are feeling the pressure mount with each new social media post or television ad. Still, plus-size women are taking a stand and rejecting the narrow views placed on them in dating.

Brittney LaShawn Newton

“My experience dating as a plus-size woman has had its ups and downs just like any other typical dating situation. It seems as though dating a plus-sized woman has become a trend in the most recent years. I mean we’ve all heard Drake‘s ‘I like my girls BBW’ line but let’s be honest, when have we ever seen him with a

Lizzo or a Jill Scott or a Monique? It has always been the BBL (Brazilian butt lift) Instagram body,” said Chalisa Clark.

A common misconception surrounding dating fuller-figured women is a lack of dating options. Though preference takes center stage when dating, we are made to believe plus-size women will settle because of their limited options in the dating pool. Plus-size women also point to the fact that some men believe they are less desirable due to their weight.

“I believe plus-size women face hardships in dating because a lot of men tend to feel like, oh well she’s a big girl no one wants her so she’s just going to take what I can give her. We also have to face the fact that society paints a picture that we aren’t the most desirable even though many of us are extremely beautiful, just a little more fluffy. If I had a penny for every single time I’ve heard oh you’re pretty for a big girl I’d be rich by now,” said Clark.

Body types have continued to evolve since the dawn of time.

For Black women, their bodies have been objectified and examined due to their naturally curvaceous shapes. For plus-size women, the idea of their body shapes can sometimes be an unfulfilled fantasy for men. Stereotypically some men highly sexualize full-figured women helping to create a false sense of security and attraction for bigger women.

“The guys who I have dated who have big girl fetishes, they just like the fact of being sexually active with a big girl. They like the way big girls feel. A lot of men have this theory that bigger women have better sex. They honestly like big girls but are ashamed to date one in public,” said Jazmyn Gates.

See DATING VIBE Page B-2

Page B-2 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Nice's Tea House

From page B-1 I’d love for it to be a space where, of course you drink tea, but you have food, good music to chill and relax to and just kind of converse with other people,” said Strickland. “I want it to be a place of dope conversation, connections and people really being aligned with each other and it be

something that people love to go to here in the city.”

With philanthropy at its core, Nice’s Tea House plans to immerse itself into the community while giving back. A product of youth programming, the owner intends to positively impact children across the city and surrounding areas.

“A portion of the pro-

ceeds, we’re going to be donating a percentage to a smaller youth-serving organization at the end of every year,” said Strickland.

“I want to be very specific -- I really want to focus on those niche youth-serving organizations. The ones who we may not hear about all the time, but they’re providing such an impact that we don’t fully know about because they’re not a huge organization.”

Nice’s Tea House plans to create additional teas that will become a part of the brand’s catalog of flavors. With the newest flavor to be released in February, the brand hopes to continue to expand its menu to reach tea lovers near and far.

“I want to share tea with everybody,” said Strickland.

Nice’s Tea House is available online.

Fresh Start From page B-1

prayer life are non-optional things that are needed to have a relationship with God. Let the World Take a Backseat “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:1516 reminds people to choose who they will serve every day.

Be Accountable to a Local Church Home Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our assembling together, as is

Dating Vibe From page B-1 Experiencing both spectrums of the scale, Gates has been able to form a broader perspective on men dating plussize women. Weighing 405 pounds at her heaviest, Gates, after a health scare, elected to undergo weight loss surgery dropping more than 250 pounds. Now weighing 155 pounds, a stark comparison in dating has been realized.

“My dating life now is better. I feel like, and [am] sad to say, guys treat me way differently. They look at me differently. I am the girl I always wanted to be but it’s very scary now because I still feel the same way,” said Gates. “Do they want to talk to me for me, my personality? Or do they want to talk to me because I look a certain way?”

The term BBW, or Big Beautiful Women, is a recent phrase pegged as a compliment for plus-size women. However, for some, the term is discriminatory and excludes fuller-figured women from being considered simply beautiful.

“I kind of teeter on the term BBW

the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

“We were never meant to do life alone,” Alewine noted, adding that being a spiritual loner is not healthy and it’s better to find a solid, biblical church and commit to fulfilling “your part in the body of Christ.”

Re-examine Your Life’s Mission and Go After It

Here to Talk. Here to Help.

Mental Health CareNo Child Left Behind

Integrated Health Services For Children, Families & Adults Children's Services Crisis Care Disability Services Mental Health Help Substance Use Treatment Veterans Assistance

Every Christ-follower has a duty and fulfillment to bring to fruition: “To make Jesus known and bring glory to God.” That will look different to different people but find out what that is and genuinely pursue it.

“Ask God to help you clarify what it is that He has uniquely made you and equipped you to do in His kingdom work,” the author adds. “What is your mission? Write it down and refer to it often. It will simplify your life and allow you to live in undistracted devotion to Jesus.”

www.dwihn.org

as far as it being acceptable or not being acceptable. I have an issue with it because why can’t I just be a beautiful woman? Why do I have to be a big beautiful woman,” said Brittney Newton, a plus-size model.

@DetroitWayneIHN

As plus-size women’s bodies are scrutinized, they are beginning to turn the tables. Women are questioning a man’s capability of handling women with extra curves.

Access Helpline 24/7 800-241-4949

“It seems like a bit of insecurity. Do you not have the equipment to deal with a full-figured woman,” said Newton. “If that’s what it is, just say that.”

Despite their waistlines, plus-size women are making it known that they are deserving of love just as much as anyone else. Spreading self-love and body positivity, full-figured women are destroying the myths and reclaiming their time.

“Any woman that is desperate for love or anything, I just want those queens to know that you do not have to accept anything,” said Newton. “There is someone out there who will love you for you no matter what size you are,”

RESTORATION IS COMING!

Independent Bank is proud to celebrate Black History Month

Police Commissioner Cedric Banks, District 3 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.” ~ Joel 2:25-26 God is restoring what the enemy has taken from His people throughout the land. Many people have lost things, but this is a time now where God is getting ready to give them back the things that were taken from them.

CONTACT US TODAY to learn how we can help with your banking and mortgage lending needs.

For more info, look us up on Facebook at ‘Cedric Banks Prophet’ or call 313-421-9977

City ity.. Life ife.. Style.

Where City Meets LIFE

and Life Meets STYLE

Marvin Rankin

Joe Lockwood

VP, Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS ID: 697434 P: 248.918.5957 C: 734.634.4276 E: MRankin@ibcp.com

Senior Residential Loan Officer NMLS ID: 139312 P: 248.918.5961 C: 248.613.2234 E: JLockwood@ibcp.com

In Print & Online

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IndependentBank.com/Mortgage | 201 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 201 | Troy, MI 48084

michiganchronicle.com | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | Page B-3

Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFP for No. 22-3474A for Sludge and Wastewater Removal. RFP forms may be obtained beginning January 18, 2022 from http://www.mitn.info. RFP is due by 3:00 PM ET, February 7, 2022.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFPs for Great Plains Software Consultant, Control No. 22-3540. RFP forms may be obtained beginning January 13, 2022, from http://www.mitn.info. RFPs are due by 3:00 PM ET, February 21, 2022.

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Software Engineer Visteon Corporation is seeking a Software Engineer in Van Buren Twp., MI, to develop embedded software in C, C++, Java for In-Vehicle Infotainment / Audio products; among other duties. Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science or Software Engineering and one year of experience in the job offered or related.

Apply to job reference number SOFTW010473 at: www.visteon.com/careers/

Supervisor FEV North America, Inc. seeks a Supervisor in Auburn Hills, MI responsible for leading and executing advanced vehicle controls development for electrified powertrain systems; among other duties.

Min. bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Automotive Engineering and three years of experience in the job offered or related.

EOE M/F/Disability/Vet. Apply to job reference number 21-00203 at: www.fev.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is holding a public comment period and a virtualNOTICE public hearing to allow the public the opportunity to comment the proposed conditional approval of of AIR PERMIT COMMENT PERIOD andon PUBLIC HEARING an air permit.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is holding a public comment period a public comment from January 26, 2022, until March 2022, and a virtual public of and aThere virtualis public hearing to allowperiod the public the opportunity to comment on the14, proposed conditional approval hearing on March 1, 2022 for: an air permit.

Company: Bridgingcomment North America to be located 1001 Springwells Court, Detroit, There is a public period(BNA) from proposed January 26, 2022, untilatMarch 14, 2022, and a virtual public Michigan hearing on March 1, 2022 for: What Bridging North America wants to proposed do: Application No. APP-2021-0183 is for the installation Company: Bridging North America (BNA) to be located at 1001 Springwells Court, Detroit,of new natural gas fired cogeneration unit, new emergency engines and other new miscellaneous equipment in Michigan support of the proposed new US Port of Entry and the proposed new Gordie Howe International Bridge.

What Bridging North America wants to do: Application No. APP-2021-0183 is for the installation of new natural gas fired cogeneration unit, new hearing emergency and other new miscellaneous equipment in The public comment period and public are engines to allow all interested parties the opportunity to comment on support of the proposed new US PortofofaEntry andtothe proposed Gordie International Bridge. that the the proposed conditional approval Permit Install (PTI). new It has beenHowe preliminarily determined installation of new equipment will not violate any of EGLE’s rules nor the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The comment publicthe hearing are increments to allow all interested parties the opportunity to comment on Thepublic facility’s impactperiod will notand exceed available for nitrogen oxides. the proposed conditional approval of a Permit to Install (PTI). It has been preliminarily determined that the installation of new equipment will not violate any of EGLE’s rules nor the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The facility’s impactin will notofexceed available increments for nitrogen oxides.

Provide comment any these the ways

by March 14, 2022: • By email to EGLE-AQD-PTIPublicComments@Michigan.gov • By voicemail by calling 517-284-0900 Provide in any of these ways

by March 14,Manager, 2022: • comment In writing to: Annette Switzer, Permit Section EGLE, AQD, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, • By email to48909-7760 EGLE-AQD-PTIPublicComments@Michigan.gov Michigan • • By callinghearing 517-284-0900 Atvoicemail the virtualbypublic on March 1, 2022 • In writing to: Annette Switzer, Permit Section Manager, EGLE, AQD, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan EGLE will be48909-7760 hosting a virtual informational session, prior to the hearing, on March 1, 2022 starting at 6:00 p.m.

• EGLE At the virtual public hearing on March 1, proposed 2022 staff will provide a summary of the permit and the technical review completed with an opportunity to answer questions from the public.

EGLE will be hosting a virtual informational session, prior to the hearing, on March 1, 2022 starting at 6:00 p.m.

EGLE will provide a summary proposed permit The link tostaff register for the virtual meetingofonthe March 1, 2022, is: and the technical review completed with an opportunity to answer questions from the public. https://bit.ly/3zQY6Z8 Getlink technical reports project: The to register for theabout virtualthis meeting on March 1, 2022, is: • Online at Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice https://bit.ly/3zQY6Z8 • DETROIT: EGLE, AQD, 313-456-4681 Get technical reports about this project: • DETROIT: City Clerk’s Office, 313-224-3260 • • Online at Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice WAYNE: Wayne County Clerk’s Office, 313-967-6938 • • DETROIT: LANSING:EGLE, EGLE,AQD, AQD,313-456-4681 517-582-5312 • DETROIT: City Clerk’s Office, 313-224-3260 • WAYNE: Wayneat County Clerk’s Office, 313-967-6938 Contact Laura Gramza 517-230-4404 one week in advance of the hearing if you need accommodations.

• LANSING: EGLE, AQD, 517-582-5312 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENERGY Contact Laura Gramza at 517-230-4404 one week in advance of the hearing if you need accommodations.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENERGY

Electrical Engineer Horizon Global Americas Inc. seeks an Electrical Engineer in Plymouth, MI, to develop and execute DV / PV test plans, coordinate workflow with outside test labs, ensure compliance to requirements and write reports; among other duties. Min. bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related and two years of experience in the job offered or related. Apply to job reference number ELECT001528 at: horizonglobal.com/careers

Sr. Mechanical Engineer Horizon Global Americas Inc. seeks a Sr. Mechanical Engineer in Plymouth, MI, to drive continuous improvement of product development, design, and testing and documentation control of existing products from inception through production; among other duties. Min. bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering and two years of experience in the job offered or related. Apply to job reference number SRMEC001531 at: horizonglobal.com/careers

Annette Switzer, Permit Section Manager

NOTICE of AIR PERMIT COMMENT PERIOD and PUBLIC HEARING Annette Switzer, Permit Section Manager The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is holding a public comment period and a virtual public hearing to allow the public the opportunity to comment on the proposed conditional approval of an air permit.

There is a public comment period from January 26, 2022, until March 14, 2022, and a virtual public hearing on March 3, 2022, for: Company: General Motors LLC Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly (GM) located at 2500 East Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan What GM wants to do: Application No. APP-2021-0201 is a request to modify an automotive manufacturing process currently under construction. GM is requesting to add fuel burning equipment and increase how much natural gas can be used; add new emergency equipment; a new sealer and adhesive material; and make some changes to stacks.

•

The public comment period and public hearing allow all interested parties the opportunity to comment on the air permit. Initial reviews of the requested modifications do not show violations of any of EGLE’s rules nor the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The facility’s impact will not exceed the available increments for nitrogen oxides, particulate matter less than or equal to ten microns in diameter, and particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter.

•

Additionally, the permit modifications will require revisions to Renewable Operating Permit (ROP) No. MI-ROP-M4199-2010 (SRN M4199). This public comment period meets the public participation requirements for a future administrative amendment to the ROP.

Java Developer General Motors, Detroit, MI. Plan, gather reqmts, dvlp, validate, execute &support full lifecycle of Connected Customer &Mobility Solutions (CCMS) apps incldg vehicle modules &features functionality on psgr vehicles, using Java, J2EE, Scala, Spring, Oracle 10g/11, Mysql, SQL, Unix, AngularJS, ReactJS, JavaScript, Ajax, Weblogic 10.3.4/12, Tomcat, Ubuntu, &Windows NT. Dvlp, perform &support CCMS &Global Advisor Application (GAA) features incldg Road Side Assistance &Subscription Changes, to OnStar customers, using Microservice Architecture &message driven architectures. Dvlp &provide user features incldg data collection, internal data publication, &SW remote reflash apps, in main &all subsystem modules in psgr vehicles using Java, J2EE, Spring Boot, Jenkins, ActiveMQ, Kafka &Maven tools, &Oracle database. Perform vehicle GAA data collection &report user for any critical maintenance. Perform SW/code/reqmts anlys, SW review, identification of code metrics, sys risk anlys, SW reliability anlys, OOPS anlys &design, &Aspect Oriented Programming.

Execute SW modeling &simulation. Master, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related. 12 mos exp as Developer or Engineer, dvlpg or maintaining Java based applications, using Java &J2EE technologies, or related. Mail resume to Ref#184, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

HELP WANTED PROGRAM TEAM ASSISTANT The Kresge Foundation has an opening for a Program Team Assistant to supply administrative and project-based support our Programs and Learning and Evaluation teams.

For more details and to apply please visit Kresge.org/careers.

michiganchronicle.com | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | Page B-4 NOTICE of AIR PERMIT COMMENT PERIOD and PUBLIC HEARING

Provide comment in any of these ways by March 14, 2022: • By email to EGLE-AQD-PTIPublicComments@Michigan.gov • By voicemail by calling 517-284-0900.

• In writing to: Annette Switzer, Permit Section Manager, EGLE, AQD, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7760.

• At the virtual public hearing on March 3, 2022.

EGLE will be hosting a virtual informational session, prior to the hearing, on March 3, 2022, starting at 6:00 p.m.

EGLE staff will provide a summary of the proposed permit and the technical review completed with an opportunity to answer questions from the public.

The link to register for the virtual meeting on March 3, 2022, is: https://bit.ly/3qOOUQV Get technical reports about this project: • Online at Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice • DETROIT: EGLE, AQD, 313-456-4700 • DETROIT: City Clerk’s Office, 313-224-3400 • HAMTRAMCK: City Clerk’s Office, 313-800-5233 • WAYNE COUNTY: Wayne County Clerk’s Office, 313-224-6262 • LANSING: EGLE, AQD, 517-582-5095 Contact Laura Gramza at 517-230-4404 one week in advance of the hearing if you need accommodations.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENERGY

Annette Switzer, Permit Section Manager

Seeking Seeking Assistant II Seeking Medical OFFICE ASSISTANT II ASSISTANT III at Oakland University atOFFICE Oakland University

HELP WANTED

ATGraham OAKLAND UNIVERSITY School of Medicine Health Center

School Medicine To coordinate the of clerical processing for Coordinate thefunction clinical processing a specialized by performing a va- in a riety of multi-step according to clinic by processes performing a variety Tomedical provide specialized office assistance, a specified framework of procedures, regof multi-step processes according coordinating ulations andprocedural precedents; and tobusiness serve as to a or an informational source.

Minimum Qual- and specified framework of procedures service ifications: activities for a graduation complexor anprogram Highserve schoolas regulations, to an informationequivalent combination of education and area involving processing, implementing, al source within the general clinicoffice in work addition experience.

Four years advising on, some andthe reporting including experience to maintaining role inasprioritizing a specialized medical work and meeting deadlines This is a full subject matter.

Minimum Qualifications: assistant in the clinic.

Minimum time, clerical-technical position.

Salary isQual$42,123.00 annually.

See online ifications: High School or High school graduation orgraduation anposting equivalent for additional position requirements.

Published Every Wednesday an equivalent combination of educacombination of education andto experience.

First consideration will be given those tionyears and experience. ex- MICHIGAN who apply

by February Three 4,responsible 2022. years’ Must office Four progressively ­apply on https://jobs.oakland.edu perience aslineato:medical assistant or in CHRONICLE experience, including direct experience in a directly related field with experience office coordination, i.e., prioritizing work in medical office clerical functions. Exassignments, workand flowobtainto meet perience inmaintaining venipuncture

313 963-5522

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

City of Highland Park

2022 March Board of Review Current Year Appeals, Poverty Exemptions & Mistakes

Voice of the Community at your fingertips.

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Board Members Organizational Meeting 9 a.m.

(Pursuant of Michigan Open Meeting act, Public Act No. 267 of 1976 as amended)

Monday, March 14, 2022 Tuesday, March 15, 2022 Wednesday, March 16, 2022

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

MASK IS REQUIRED

michiganchronicle.com

City Hall 1st Floor Conference Room Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Building 12050 Woodward Ave. Highland Park, Mi. 48203

PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT Call (313) 252-0050, ext. 228, to make the appointment *Poverty Exemption Application MUST be submitted with all attachments, (failure results in denial of Exemption) and a Board of Review Petition

by March 11, 2022 to City Treasurer’s Office.*

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Keeping You Informed At All Times Of The Day

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Page B-6 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

CONGRATULATES 2022 MEN OF EXCELLENCE

HONOREE

MICHAEL WILLIAMS The path to success is never easy. Those who are always ready to take on challenges have the courage to overcome them. The College is extremely proud of your achievements and thanks you for all that you do for our students.

michiganchronicle.com | Jan. 26 - Feb.1, 2022 | Page B-7

NBV_5x10.5_vFINAL.indd 1

11/15/2021 1:30:35 PM

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Page B-8 | Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

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